Lorraine, I'm Your Density

Back when I first turned 21-years-old I wasn't fully aware of what was available in terms of beer. At that point in time, great beer was Yuengling Traditional Lager, Guinness etc. I also remember walking into very generic bars and pubs to find mixed beers on special. These "mixed beers" included the likes of what I recall to be a Dark Side of the Moon (a combination of Guinness and Blue Moon) and Black Velvet (a combination of Guinness and hard cider). Still, I can't figure out whether or not Guinness is actually sought after anymore here in the states.

I've noticed this trend has taken a slight foothold in the craft world (Hoegaarden and Lindeman's Frambois), but that depends on whether or not you consider Hoegaarden craft. I've moved away from Guinness slightly, but I'm not in complete dismay if I have to have one. That and Yuengling are still considered to be among those first beer's I've had that ran the thought of amazing beer through my head for the first few times in my life. I'm forever thankful.

With the previous beer mixes I've mentioned, another popular one is shandy. I've had the Leinenkugel Summer Shandy. It's alright, but I'm kind of over it nowadays. That and the fact that a lot of people tend to shun it due to corporate aspects. I had a bottle of it recently (honestly was the best choice of the lot at the time) and had to force it down.

I've read in the past that mixing cider and beer is one of the tastier ways to go. Granted, I'd rather have a straight beer most of the time, but broadening one's horizons never hurt anyone. I'm interested in discovering which ciders go well with some craft beers. Why the hell not? I remember discussing that very subject a few months ago with my friend, Beer Snob Sr. I get the feeling that shandies contrived out of sheer experimentation are simply better than the commercially sold ones. To get back on the subject of Lenenkugel, wasn't its Lemon Berry concoction some form of a shandy? It tasted eerily similar to Robitussin.

Just watch this video from it's YouTube channel. Doesn't the story about the Summer Shandy just turn you off from it? it just doesn't feel that traditional to me. Someone wanted to conserve beer. So, he cut it with lemonade? For the second time this week, maybe I'm just nuts.

Cue the Imperial March?

Over the past few days, an interesting beer map has been circulating across the internet. NPR apparently posted a map and list of all of the brewing companies both AB-InBev and SABMiller own across the world. I've linked the entire article and list for you below. Overall, it's just really interesting to see what these major companies actually have control over as well as the reach they have across the world. Holy Toledo.

Have you ever enjoyed a beer and weren't completely sure whether or not it was owned by one of the previously mentioned big beer companies? Have you sat and drank said beer in fear of persecution from the craft vs. crafty folk?

I certainly have. I can go for a nice glass of Fransiskaner wheat or something from Leinenkugel once in a while. I've never really picked sides in the craft vs. crafty debate. If your product is above par I'm going to enjoy it. I don't agree with what these companies do all of the time, but that's not stopping from enjoying what can be a good product.

My favorite Leinenkugel offering has always been Sunset Wheat due to its similarities to Fruity Pebbles cereal in terms of flavor and aroma. We can also expect Leinenkugel to come out with an Orange Shandy later in the spring. Some might call me crazy for fraternizing with the evil empire, but I want to try that. I'm still not touching a Bud or Coors Light anytime soon.

You can see the NPR article its entirety right here.